Take a bow Rock N Growl Promotion! Not only have they recently introduced the masses to the excellent Miracle Master and Exorcism, now they've gone and done it again with Chainfist! Formed in 2009 and based in Denmark, Chainfist are a hard hitting and immensely powerful Heavy Metal band with a modern twist and 'Scarred' is their second album. They are not 'newbies' either as the band consists of ex members of Panzerchrist, Infernal Death and Frozen Sun! Debut album 'Black Out Sunday' (2010) got rave reviews in their home country and since then the band have honed their craft playing live on a regular basis!

As soon as first song 'Scars Of Time' kicks in and literally blows the speakers, one thing is abundantly clear. 'The Big4', particularly Metallica (post Justice) and Megadeth, are a huge influence on Chainfist. There are other names in the mix as well. Firstly, take a look at the cover art. Is that set of wings and the skull with crossed bones underneath a sly reference to Motorhead and Saxon? Perhaps, because there are certainly elements from both those bands present. What you'll also get is a more modern approach from the likes of Disturbed and Volbeat. Put it all together and you've got an album that modern day Metallica couldn't come close to matching!

Vocalist Jackie Petersen has a great voice and his own style, but you can hear the phrasing of James Hetfield and Dave Mustaine in his delivery. It's a very similar feel with guitarists Michael Kopietz and Thomas Hvisel. They play out of their skin on this album and are both excellent musicians but the spirit of Mustaine, Friedman, Broderick, Hammett, Quinn and Scarratt is close by. Chainfist aren't mere copyists though, they've just crafted Metallica's catchiness from the Black album and the songwriting ability that Megadeth have recaptured over the last decade, into their own excellent compositions and it works a treat, especially when you add that modern twist as well.

Chainfist mix it up very well too. There are fast, medium and slow tracks, all very catchy with excellent riffs and hooks, just take your pick and you really shouldn't be disappointed with anything on offer here. They even provide a second version of the track 'Black Rebel Noise', played acoustically at the end of the album. This could be seen as a filler but it's such a great departure from the plugged in version it proves Chainfist are more than capable of the stripped down approach. 'Scarred' has also been fantastically produced by Michael Hansen and mixed/mastered by the great Jacob Hansen (Pretty Maids, Primal Fear, Anubis Gate). It sounds huge and slick but it's real!

Chainfist are yet another band to issue a great album in 2014, I really am being spoilt for choice this year. Believe me when I say you don't want to miss being 'Scarred'!